Virgin Black

Virgin Black is one of those rare bands that not only attempt
their own path in music, but succeed in producing something
quite special.
Sombre Romantic, their 2001 debut full-length following an EP
entitled Trance two years prior,
is a masterpiece, an emotive, expressive gothic
doom album that relies not on bludgeoning riffs but subtle effects
such as quiet piano interludes and the occasional Gregorian-styled
vocal chant in order to convey melancholic and often haunting moods.
At times the album feels more like a movie soundtrack than a simple
collection of songs, with the band drifting from subdued vocal/guitar
duets to aggressive riffing to quiet, moodier sections.
This is one of the best albums to emerge in the past several years,
and their recent Elegant ... But Dying release
has proven to be a worthy followup.
This is an outstanding and original band.

Slated for 2007 is the release of
no less than three new albums (one purely orchestral,
one with band and orchestral, and one "normal" band release).
Entitled Requiem - Pianissimo,
Requiem - Mezzo Forte, and
Requiem - Fortissimo, respectively,
the three albums are intended to be released more or less
simultaneously, with Mezzo Forte coming first, in April.